My question to you, Saoirse, is "would you not enter a thread to read it if it was locked?" I think you would still read the thread, would you not?
So it only makes a difference if you want to post a reply to the thread. But locked threads aren't meant to be replied to, only to be read. That's why they are locked. And the reply button is clearly marked "Locked" on a locked thread.
If people still feel they need to address something in the thread, they can either contact a mod for help (i.e., you!

) or they can start another thread (but not if it is to keep an argument going that the mods are trying to settle down.)